Less daylight and grey skies? Look for the light!

I don’t have to tell you that lights are a big part of the Christmas season. Here in Branson, we have Silver Dollar City which boasts 6.5 million lights, to say nothing of the many lights adorning homes, businesses and trees around town. Plus, we have the pick of at least four drive-through holiday lights displays. 

It’s beautiful and cheerful, isn’t it? In addition to all those lights, many of us enjoy lighting candles, don’t we? And if we can experience the glow of a fireplace, all the better.

Two European traditions contributed to our customs. In Germany, we’re told, evergreen trees were brought inside for the first time – and candles were attached (real candles with flames!) to the branches. In England, through the windows of many homes people could see flickering candles during the Christmas season.

The idea for all of the above may be rooted in the winter solstice (this year on December 21) which marks the shortest day of the year. And scientific records tell us that in many locations, including Branson, the percentage of grey days with little sunshine peeking through does go up in the winter. Both of those realities prompt many of us to say: “Let there be light!”

Light evokes positivity, warmth and coziness. It symbolizes hope that longer days with more sunshine are ahead next spring. To many, light also symbolizes something more – sacred hope through Christ, the Savior. The Bible calls Jesus the Light of the World.

Less hours of daylight should not dictate that I succumb to darker feelings. Nor should grey, gloomy-looking skies dictate my mood. However, both are often a challenge for me – and perhaps for you too.

I cope in practical ways by simply turning on more indoor lights, and I may light a candle or two. I might turn on my fireplace. All seem to bring me comfort.

But I’m also learning to turn more often to the One who came at Christmas to pierce the darkness that sin had brought into this world. I think of those shepherds who saw the glory of the Lord shining around them when the angels appeared, prompting them to find Messiah Jesus.  And the wise men? They followed a bright star to locate the King of Kings.

Many troubles might be threatening to destroy your joy this time of year. Don’t give up hope. The concordance in the back of my Bible lists 55 references for the word “light.” Here are two, but whenever you feel down, I’d encourage you to gradually look up the other 53 in coming weeks!

 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?” David wrote in Psalm 27:1. “The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?”

And in Psalm 18:28, David said “You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”

(To find Scripture on “light,” you can search by topic in DailyVerses.net, Biblehub.com or BibleStudyTools.com.)